Greek manufacturer of photovoltaic modules based on micromorph thin-film silicon technology
HelioSphera S.A.
Athens · TripoliNew on Amplifa
About HelioSphera
HelioSphera S.A. was a Greek company founded in 2007, headquartered in Athens with a production site in Tripoli. The company produced photovoltaic solar modules made of micromorph thin-film silicon (a-Si/µc-Si) and achieved an annual capacity of 60 MWp. The 27,000 m² factory with a cleanroom of more than 1,500 m² was built from January 2008 with an investment of €180 million within 18 months and started production in September 2009. The modules were designed for yields under low light, partial shading and high temperatures; mounting solutions for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and ground mounting were also offered. In 2010, 92% of production was exported, among others to projects in Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Israel and Japan. Production was discontinued in 2012 as a result of Chinese competition; in 2017 the company was declared bankrupt. The plant is to be auctioned in 2025 by Hellenic Public Properties Co.
- Site
- Athens, Greece
- Processes
- Mounting solutions for BIPV and ground mounting
- Materials
- Micromorph thin-film silicon (a-Si/µc-Si), Micromorph thin-film silicon
- Certificates
- IEC 61646, IEC 61730
- Founded
- 2007
- Industries
- Photovoltaics, Solar energy
- 01
Thin-film solar module manufacturing
- 02
Mounting solutions BIPV/ground mounting
- 03
Project supply (open-field and rooftop systems)
Materials & Processes
Micromorph thin-film silicon
Thin-film silicon for solar modules with good yields under low light, partial shading and high temperatures.
Locations
Athens
GRHeadquarters
Tripoli
GRProduction site (BIPE industrial zone)
- Materials
- Micromorph thin-film silicon
- Photovoltaic panel production line (Oerlikon Solar)
- Manufacturing equipment Rena GmbH
- Manufacturing equipment ABB
- Manufacturing equipment Buerkle GmbH
- Manufacturing equipment Nisshibo
- Manufacturing equipment Schiller Autom
- Manufacturing equipment Olbricht GmbH
Industries
7 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photovoltaic panel production line (micromorph thin-film manufacturing) | Oerlikon Solar | – | – | 2009 | Tripoli, Greece |
| Photovoltaic manufacturing equipment | Rena GmbH | – | – | – | Tripoli, Greece |
| Photovoltaic manufacturing equipment | ABB | – | – | – | Tripoli, Greece |
| Photovoltaic manufacturing equipment | Buerkle GmbH | – | – | – | Tripoli, Greece |
| Photovoltaic manufacturing equipment | Nisshibo | – | – | – | Tripoli, Greece |
| Photovoltaic manufacturing equipment | Schiller Autom | – | – | – | Tripoli, Greece |
| Photovoltaic manufacturing equipment | Olbricht GmbH | – | – | – | Tripoli, Greece |
Additional services
Quality
The modules were certified to IEC 61646 and IEC 61730 by TÜV Rheinland; certification was completed in October 2009, one month after production start.
| Evidence | Tripoli |
|---|---|
| IEC 61646 | |
| IEC 61730 |
History
- 2007
Founding of HelioSphera S.A.
- 2008
Construction start of the production site in Tripoli (investment €180 million)
- 2009
Production start in September; certification to IEC 61646/61730 by TÜV Rheinland one month later
- 2010
Completion of ramp-up in Q3; 92% of production exported
- 2012
Production discontinued due to Chinese competition
- 2017
Insolvency/bankruptcy declared
- 2025
Planned auction of the plant by Hellenic Public Properties Co.